2005 OSDUS Mental Health and Well-Being Report: Highlights

Mental, Social and Physical Health

30% of students indicate elevated psychological distress. This percentage represents approximately 303,500 students across Ontario
Although most students feel safe in their school, about 13% are worried about being harmed or threatened at school
8% report being suspended from school at least once since September
About one-in-five students (18%) report that they were not physically active at all during the past 7 days. This is higher compared to 1997 (13.5% among grades 7, 9, 11 only)
At the other extreme, 17% of adolescents report daily physical activity
Over two-thirds (70%) of all students are satisfied with their weight.
Females are more likely to believe that they are too fat, compared to males (25% vs. 14%, respectively). Males are more likely to believe that they are too thin compared to females (15% vs. 6%).
About one-in-ten (10%) students report their family has been involved with a Children’s Aid Society at some point
About 27% of students report setting something on fire (that they weren’t supposed to) at least once during the 12 months before the survey. This percentage represents about 271,800 students in Ontario. Males are significantly more likely to set something on fire compared to females (34% vs. 20% respectively)

Among all students, 18% report fighting on school property at least once during the past year. Males were more likely than females to do so (27% vs. 9%, respectively)
Among all students, 8% report having been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property at least once during the past year
The most prevalent forms of bullying others is through verbal attacks (22%), followed by physical attacks (4%), and theft/vandalism (less than 1%)
About one-in-eight (12%) students assaulted someone at least once during the past 12 months. Over the short-term, this percentage has significantly declined between 1999 and 2005 (from 20% to 12%).
10% of students report carrying a weapon (such as a gun or knife)

About one-in-six (18%) of students report playing lottery tickets, and 17% bet money in sports pools
Approximately 2% of students report Internet gambling
Among all students, 6% gambled at 5 or more of the 10 activities asked about. This group can be considered to be heavy gamblers
Males are more likely to report heavy gambling than females (9% vs. 3%)